Difficulty in Moving from Job Status to Permanent

How hard is it to move from a temporary resident (job visa)  to a permanent resident?

I am new to this, but I understand after 5 years of working in the UK, you can apply for permanent residency.  Is that right or wrong?  

I imagine it would be easier to get a temporary job than to actually become eligible to be a permanent resident.

Hi there.
After four years on a work permit you can apply for "Indefinite Leave to Remain", i.e. permanent resident status.
Once more year after that you can apply for naturalisation as a British citizen, if you fulfil the other requirements (the most significant of which has to do with physical presence minimum requirements over the total 5 year period).